Salary Range

$89,924.00 to $141,662.00 / Per Year

Series & Grade

AD-1301-03/03

Promotion Potential

03

Supervisory Status

No

Who May Apply

Applications will be accepted from US Citizens. Recent changes in Federal Appropriations Law requires Non-Citizens to meet certain eligibility criteria to be considered. Therefore, Non-Citizens must certify eligibility by signing and attaching this Citizenship Affidavit to their application. Non-citizens who do not provide the affidavit at the time of application will not be considered.

Control Number

Job Announcement Number

Job Overview

Summary

Special Conditions: The appointment is contingent upon satisfactory completion of a physical examination according to the standards used for USAP medical screening for travel to Antarctica.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is seeking candidate(s) for an Associate Program Director (Antarctic Research and Logistics Integration) within the Antarctic Sciences (ANT) Section, Division of Polar Programs (PLR), Directorate for Geosciences (GEO), Arlington VA.

ANT encompasses six core Antarctic research programs (Astrophysics and Geospace Sciences, Earth Sciences, Glaciology, Integrated System Science, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, and Organisms and Ecosystems). Approximately $70M in research funding is awarded annually in response to competitively reviewed proposals. Research projects requiring fieldwork in Antarctica are supported by the U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP) research infrastructure, managed by the Division of Antarctic Infrastructure & Logistics (AIL) that includes three permanent stations and associated laboratories, capabilities to support short- and long-term research at remote sites in Antarctica, two well-equipped research vessels, aircraft and helicopters. The annual budget for these support activities is approximately $270M.

Duties

The individual selected as the Associate Program Director (Antarctic Research and Logistics Integration) will be responsible for:

Assisting the Section in planning and implementing, in partnership with the Antarctic Infrastructure and Logistics Section, complex field programs in Antarctica across all five disciplinary programs and the integrated system science program and expected to improve planning with international and other federal agency partners as well;

Promoting a healthy balance of support for all the needs of the research and education enterprise either through program, division, directorate, Foundation, or interagency activities;

Monitoring program resources so as to provide optimal appropriate scientific judgment to insure integrity and consistency in the grant/declination process without conflict-of-interests, and with balance among appropriate sub-fields and institutions, and participation of all qualified scientists. Incorporate cross-directorate responsibilities into program administration;

Providing scientific evaluation and advice for other programs in NSF, including international and cross-directorate programs;

Assisting in the development of short and long range plans, establishing objectives for research programs, and program evaluation. Assisting in planning the program budget and allocating resources within that budget among major competitive programs;

Representing the Program, Division and Foundation, within the scientific community, with other NSF Divisions, other agencies and organizations, and the public, accurately reflecting NSF policy and positions;

Creating and maintaining linkages to other NSF units and other Federal agencies in pursuit of the overall NSF mission;

Participating in staff, panel, committee and other meetings, providing input relevant to Program area and/or Division;

Pursuing affirmative action and EEO goals;

Contributing ideas and effort to improving the quality of policies and NSF's performance of the overall mission. Providing information to the community on how NSF is pursuing its mission and gathering data impressions from the community on the effectiveness of NSF's performance of its mission;

Establishing contacts and maintaining active involvement in program and related areas through participation in professional activities. Maintaining familiarity with salient current research developments. Pursuing individual research as workload and travel funds permit; and

Expanding administrative capabilities through training courses or assumption of new management responsibilities.

Relocation Authorized

Yes

Relocation MAY be paid contingent on the availability of funds.

Job Requirements

Key Requirements

Qualifications

Candidates must have a Ph.D. in an appropriate field plus after award of the Ph.D., four or more years of successful research, research administration, and/or managerial experience pertinent to the position; OR a Master’s degree in an appropriate field plus after award of the degree, six or more years of successful research, research administration, and/or managerial experience pertinent to the position.

An appropriate field is defined as any area of biological or solid-earth science pertinent to the activities of the ANT Section. Prior experience in Antarctic research or research support is useful but not a requirement.

Special Conditions: The appointment is contingent upon satisfactory completion of a physical examination according to the standards used for USAP medical screening for travel to Antarctica.

You will need to successfully complete a background security investigation before you can be appointed into this position.

Security Clearance

Public Trust - Background Investigation

Additional Information

What To Expect Next

Shortly after the announcement closes, you will be notified as to whether or not you meet the basic qualification requirements. If you do, you will receive further consideration and evaluation. If the position is in the bargaining unit, and your application is referred to the selecting official, you will be contacted for an interview. Interviews for positions not in the bargaining unit may be conducted at the discretion of the selecting official. All qualified applicants will receive final notification of the outcome of the job opportunity announcement.

You may check the status of your application at any time on the USAJOBS website.

BENEFITS

A GREAT LOCATION! The National Science Foundation is conveniently located one block from the Ballston Metro Station, a few blocks from Routes 66 and 50, and about three miles from downtown Washington. Employees may rent parking spaces in the building garage. There are many shops and restaurants within easy walking distance. Employees receive the Federal benefits package and NSF offers:

Other Information

If you do not have civil service status or reinstatement eligibility, you will not obtain civil service status if selected. If you are currently in the competitive civil service, you will be required to waive competitive civil service rights if selected.

WARNING! Applications submitted online must have a valid email address. If your email address is inaccurate or your mailbox is full or blocked, you may not receive important communication that could affect your consideration for this position.

If you are unable to apply electronically, please use the Contact Information below for special instructions on how to submit your application materials. Hearing impaired individuals may call TDD (703) 292-5090 for assistance.

IMPORTANT NOTE: PLEASE DO NOT INCLUDE YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER OR DATE OF BIRTH ON YOUR APPLICATION DOCUMENTS.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated on the extent and quality of your experience, expertise, education, and research activities relevant to the duties of the position. We strongly encourage you to specifically address the Quality Ranking Factors below. This will ensure that you receive full consideration in the evaluation process.

Quality Ranking Factors

Knowledge of science as documented in peer review publications and/or demonstrated through involvement in science projects or science support activities pertinent to the activities of the Antarctic Sciences Section.

Knowledge and understanding of the National Science Foundation’s and the Division of Polar Programs’ mission and goals, as well as how the Antarctic Sciences Section interacts with the scientific community and with other national Antarctic programs for support of Antarctic research activities

Ability to coordinate with stakeholders to develop medium to long range science and science support activities that will enable implementation of complex science projects in remote regions by the US Antarctic Program.

Ability to work well with peers, members of the scientific community, managers from other organizations within and outside of NSF, to effectively develop programs policies, plans, and goals.

Skill in research, analytical and technical writing which evidence the ability to perform extensive inquiry into a variety of significant issues related to research support and make recommendations and decisions based on findings.

Skill and professionalism in interpersonal communication, and ability to present and convincingly defend program plans to peers, the science community, managers of related organizations, and senior managers in Polar Programs.

Required Documents

In order to be considered for federal appointments, Non-Citizens must affirm that they meet the Appropriations Law eligibility criteria by signing and attaching this Citizenship Affidavit to their application. Non-Citizens who do not provide the affidavit at the time of application will not be considered. Non-Citizens who are exempt from the Appropriations Law requirements due to their status as officers or employees of the U.S. government on December 16, 2009 must provide a statement with their application noting their exemption with documentation of proof of status as officers or employees of the U.S. government on that date.

You are strongly encouraged to submit a current performance appraisal and/or letter(s) of recommendation and a supplemental statement that describes how your background relates to the Quality Ranking Factors (QRFs) listed in the Qualifications and Evaluation Requirements section of this announcement. This information will be used in the evaluation process.

We also ask that you complete and submit the Applicant Survey Form. This will help NSF to ensure that our recruiting efforts are attracting a diverse candidate pool; it will be used for statistical purposes only.

You can fax or upload your letter of recommendation(s) or the individual(s) can email the letter of recommendation(s) to adsearch@nsf.gov; please ask him/her to put your name and the job announcement number in the subject line.

Transcripts are not required; however, please indicate the year that each degree was obtained on your application materials.

All faxing/uploading must be completed before 11:59 PM Eastern time on the vacancy closing date. If you are faxing your information, please use extreme care in dialing the fax number to assure we receive your information. You will receive an email confirmation of receipt of your faxed/uploaded document(s).